Cookson Starts UCI Changes

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New International Cycling Union (UCI) president Brian Cookson has contacted the World Anti-Doping Agency to start talks over an independent investigation into the sport's governing body.

Cookson based his recent election campaign on restoring trust in the UCI which has had acrimonious relationships with doping authorities.

"We've started the work of establishing dialogue with Wada to plan how we will proceed with the independent investigation into the UCI's past," said Cookson.

"We have also been making contact with other key stakeholders in this area, including Usada [United States Anti-Doping Authority], other national anti-doping organisations and the French sports ministry."

Englishman Cookson, 62, who was the former president of British Cycling, also confirmed the decision to "revoke the age limit of 28 that existed for UCI women's teams".

Up until now most riders in a women's team competing at a UCI event have had to be aged below 28. He also said there were plans to form a new commission for women's cycling "to help facilitate the growth of women's elite racing".

Meanwhile, Cookson said the UCI had withdrawn legal action against journalist Paul Kimmage.

In January 2012, former UCI presidents Pat McQuaid, who Cookson replaced, and Hein Verbruggen initiated legal proceedings against Kimmage, claiming they were defamed by articles in the Sunday Times and L'Equipe which discussed doping and the governing body.

Kimmage said: "I am very relieved, it has been a very difficult 20 months and I hope this means things have turned a corner.

"Brian Cookson has my every best wish but he is going to need some time and space to clear up the mess.

"I do believe however that Hein Verbruggen should be removed absolutely from any position at the UCI."

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Cookson Wins UCI Vote

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Brian Cookson has been elected president of the International Cycling Union (UCI), beating incumbent Pat McQuaid in a vote on Friday.

After a campaign dominated by acrimony between the two candidates, Cookson, 61, defeated Irishman McQuaid by 24 votes to 18 in Florence, Italy.

McQuaid, 64, was seeking a third term in the role he had held since 2005.

Cookson has been in charge of British Cycling since 1997, presiding over the turn-around of the sport in Britain.

He will step down from that role to take up his new position.

"It is a huge honour to have been elected president of the UCI by my peers and I would like to thank them for the trust they have placed in me today," said Cookson.

"My first priorities as president will be to make anti-doping procedures in cycling fully independent, sit together with key stakeholders in the sport and work with Wada [World Anti-Doping Authority] to ensure a swift investigation into cycling's doping culture.

"It is by doing these things that we will build a firm platform to restore the reputation of our international federation with sponsors, broadcasters, funding partners, host cities and the International Olympic Committee.

"Ultimately, this is how we grow our sport worldwide and get more riders and fans drawn into cycling."

Under Cookson's leadership, Great Britain won 19 Olympic gold medals and 28 Paralympic golds.

He also oversaw Britain's first win in the Tour de France, Sir Bradley Wiggins tasting success in the 2012 race, followed by Chris Froome a year later.

Cookson served as UCI international commissaire for 23 years between 1986 and 2009, helping to organise, co-ordinate and officiate international cycling races.

Cookson had previously backed McQuaid's re-election campaign, but criticised the Irishman for his handling of the Lance Armstrong doping affair, with Armstrong himself calling McQuaid "pathetic".

Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and given a lifetime ban by the United States Anti-Doping Agency in August last year after admitting that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

McQuaid was originally nominated for another term as UCI president by Cycling Ireland, only for the Irish body to then reconsider its decision at an extraordinary general meeting in Dublin.

Switzerland, where he lives, also withdrew support, but he was ultimately allowed to run for re-election with nominations from Thailand and Morocco.

However, there was a long debate over McQuaid's eligibility before the election with numerous delegates speaking from the floor after a series of lawyers addressed the case.

Discussions were finally ended, though, when Cookson got up to urge the 42 UCI delegates to press ahead and cast their votes.

Cookson factfile

Age: 61

Club level cyclist at road, track, cyclo-cross and mountain biking

UCI International commissaire (1986-2009)

President of British Cycling Federation (1996-present)

Awarded OBE for services to cycling in 2008

Has overseen 19 Olympic gold medals, 28 Paralympic medals and a first British Tour de France win

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McQuaid Promises to Walk

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Pat McQuaid has promised not to prolong the bitter battle over the presidency of the International Cycling Union if he is deposed from office by British challenger Brian Cookson in Friday's vote.

The winner requires at least 22 of the 42 votes to prevail in Florence and, although he is confident of being elected to serve a third four-year term in office, McQuaid will accept the result if it does not go his way.

He hopes Cookson will do the same after a presidential race that has featured numerous verbal barbs, criticisms and controversy over the legislation and its interpretation.

McQuaid, UCI president since 2005, said: "I would hope that the vote would bring an end to all that. I know if I lose I certainly won't be looking to make a legal challenge. I would walk away. I would hope my opponent would do the same."

Cookson has publicised his endorsements - from national federations to high-profile ex-riders such as Sir Chris Hoy - while McQuaid has opted to take a different tact.

"I do have a lot of support from within the sport itself, but I'm not going around listing names every day of people who are supporting me," McQuaid said.

"I have enough to be doing to continue my job in running the UCI than looking for endorsements, or whatever."

McQuaid's bid for re-election suffered a blow when delegates of the European Cycling Union, which has 14 votes, opted to back Cookson.

McQuaid said: "It wasn't a big surprise to me, because one of his supporters is Igor Makarov, the Russian oligarch [president of the Russian Cycling Federation and member of the UCI management committee].

"He carries a lot of influence within the European federations. He also provided Europe with a one million Euro sponsorship deal some months ago. I think his influence was brought to bear."

Europe snub

Makarov is one of those to have publicly backed Cookson, along with Bernard Hinault.

Five-time Tour de France winner Hinault said: "No organisation should accept people having more than two consecutive terms. That is not democracy.

"That is being asleep when life has to be a permanent evolution, and cycling must be like that, too. We need to clean what is in place. Cycling needs news ideas, new solutions."

McQuaid insists he is already cleaning up cycling and that he requires a third and final term to complete unfinished business.

"I want to tidy it up and then, at the end of the four years, to step away," the 64-year-old said.

Le Tour Entier Launched

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A manifesto has been published as campaigners step up attempts to reintroduce a women's Tour de France.

Le Tour Entier's document calls for a women's event, last held in 2009, to be run alongside the men's race from 2014.

More than 93,000 have signed a petition by the group, led by cyclist and writer Kathryn Bertine, World Ironman champion Chrissie Wellington,and cyclists Marianne Vos and Emma Pooley.

"We must revamp the entire structure of women's cycling," Bertine said.

The manifesto - which has been sent to the International Cycling Union (UCI) and Tour de France owners Amaury Sport Organisation - also requests that three women's tours are established, and race and stage length restrictions for women abolished.

Bertine told BBC Sport that sponsors are in place to back the proposals. A women's race was first run in 1984 but the last event took place four years ago, when Pooley won.

She believes this month's UCI presidential election will play a "huge role" and insisted that should Brian Cookson defeat the incumbent Pat McQuaid it would be a catalyst for change.

Bertine added: "We have to elevate all of women's cycling so it is sustainable. It's about having a Tour de Everything, all the opportunities that the men have as well.

"Right now, we need change. We believe that Brian Cookson, in his manifesto, presents an opportunity for women's cycling to move forward.

"If Pat McQuaid wins [a third term], my biggest fear is that nothing will happen."

Olympic and World road cycling champion Vos, the most successful female cyclist of all time, added: "My dream is to give women's cycling a bigger platform, to help it have a brighter future and to show the world the beauty of the races."

Le Tour Entier means "The Whole Tour".

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